2018 Tacoma TRD Sport Manual - First Impressions driving

I just got my '18 TRD Sport DCSB 6 speed manual yesterday, in Cement (I love this color). I had no intention of buying a a new truck, I had a '15 TRD Sport with auto since '15, which I was pretty happy with, dealer called me a few times practically begging me to come by, as they wanted my truck, so I figured I'd stop by and see what they had to offer, they had the same truck with an auto sitting out front, I said wow that is a sharp looking truck, took it for a drive, it was nice, but mostly for the new interior toys. I felt the difference in low end torque compared with my 4.0, but with ETC set to power not bad. Nice truck, but I could resist it, save some money, keep my '15 for now...
Then the salesman said they had the same truck with a manual in back, just came in. Really? Well hell, let's look at that....yep, it's awesome with the stick. Damn. New truck time. All the new toys are nice too, heated leather and mirrors, sunroof, power back window, JBL (edit-nope, Premium audio), bunch of weird new safety stuff....it's pretty awesome. I love this truck.

Only thing that makes it SEEM a little bigger is the higher hood compared with the '15, but not a big deal to me at all.
I like the scoop, but I'm a sucker for a fake scoop apparently, as that's one reason I wanted a Sport 2nd gen.

Have I mentioned that I love this truck?

 

Nice Truck! Are you sure have JBL with a Manual, is that marked on the Radio?

 

Hmm, good question. I thought it was, but now I see there is a premium audio, and the premium audio with JBL. I guess it might not have the JBL. I drove the same truck with an auto before I found out they just got in a manual truck, which DID have JBL, and the radio looked the same in the manual truck so I thought it was the same. Oh well, it sounds better than the '15, anyway.

 

They don't offer JBL with Manual Trans for some reason, there was a guy on here that had it marked on his Window Sticker but it was not in the Truck and Toyota refunded him some cash!

 

I just went outside, it doesn't say JBL on the radio, so I guess that's that.

 

Actually, the resale value (private party) is always more for manuals for Toyota trucks. I've seen 1st gens sell for up to $2-3K more in manual and going back to 1980 you'll see it, as well. I've looked a lot online specifically autotrader, ebay, etc just browsing out of curiosity. There's fewer of them yes, but the logic is buyers believe a used manual trans will have less problems than the auto.

Also, the manual trans sell faster than you think. Several years go I sold my 1st gen online, 20 minutes after posting it a guy bought it, met him the next day at the bank, he brought $12,500 cash as he didn't want a check holding up me giving him the title. I should have listed it for more. That's one thing I learn in sales, if the other party agrees immediately, you've sold it for less than you could have. I just listed it for the very top of the KBB value.

I've traded in cars before when I felt the auto trans acting up, specifically in my Subaru five years ago. Traded it in for $13,000 if the transmission went out I'd be looking at a $3k-$5k job.

 

17 TRD Sport, 6M, love it.
And love the VVT surge at 3500 and 4000.
Installed the TRD cue-ball shifter from the previous gen and the feel is awesome. It's got a 60's muscle car kinda spirit. Looking down that big scooped hood only adds to the experience

 

Man you lucky ducks finding DCSB Sports in MT. I love my AC, but I think if I could find a DCSB I'd pull the trigger.